Combination carrying case and traveling desk

ABSTRACT

A combination carrying case and desk convertible from one configuration to the other. In one embodiment, a side wall is pivotable from an upright position to a lowered position for converting the article from a carrying case to the desk. An upper flap is pivotably associated with the pivotal side wall, to provide access inside the article when in either configuration.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,904,003 Margerum Sept. 9, 1975 [5 1COMBINATION CARRYING CASE AND 2,190,707 2/1940 Feldman 190/11 uxTRAVELING DESK 2,410,987 1 H1946 Mevi 2,555,778 6/1951 B1ume..... [76]Inventor: Charles Margerum, 5108 S. 3,232,397 2/1966 McCoy WoodlawnAve., Chicago, 111. 60615 3,259,217 7/1966 Platt [22] F d F b 20 19743,330,388 7/1967 Stein 190/48 [21] Appl. N .1 444,129 PrimaryExaminerDona1d F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jerome Goldberg [52]US. Cl. 190/11; 190/48; 190/51;

3 12/241 [57] ABSTRACT 9 g l l Search 190 In 48 43 A combmatlon carrymgcase and desk convemble 5' 108/14 i 34 from one configuration to theother. In one embodiment, a side wall is pivotable from an uprightposition 56] References Cited to a lowered position for converting thearticle from a carrying case to the desk. An upper flap is pivot-ablyUNITED STATES PATENTS associated with the pivotal side wall, to provideaccess 476,598 6/1892 Bancroft 190/51 X i sid the article when in eitherconfiguration 893,694 7/1908 Al1enson.... 190/11 X 1,689,416 10/1928Wood 190/51 X 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures COMBINATION CARRYING CASE ANDTRAVELING DESK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to a combination carrying case and desk, and more particularlyrelates to a combination carrying case and desk having a side wallpivotable from an upright position to a lowered position for utilizingthe inside surface thereof as a desk.

Carrying cases convertible to a desk have been used in the past. Many ofthese prior cases included an inside panel for converting the article toa desk. This panel took up considerable space that could otherwise beused for storage. Other prior cases did utilize a pivotal side wall whenconverting the'carrying case to the desk. Some of these only providedaccess therein when converting the article into a desk. Other of thesetype articles had one storage section when used as a case and acompletely separated second storage section when used as a desk. Thus,in the event it was desired to retrieve files or other material in thesecond section, it was frequently required to lower the side wall merelyto derive access and not to use it for a desk.

The subject invention, on the other hand, provides a combinationcarrying case and desk constructed to maximize storage space, and affordsubstantial common access when used either as a case or desk.

Accordingly, it is a primary object to provide a combination carryingcase and desk, which is convertible from one to the other configuration.

It is another object to provide a combination carrying case and desk,which includes storage areas which are easily accessible when in eitherconfiguration.

Another object is to provide a holder for folders or files, which iseasily accessible in either configuration.

Another object is to provide a storage area particularly suitable for atape recorder or mini-computer.

Another object is to provide a storage area for pens, clips, staplers,etc.

Another object is to provide a combination carrying case and deskincluding a pivotal side wall which is lowered from an upright to alowered position for converting the article into a desk.

Another object is to provide an upper flap which is pivotally associatedwith the pivotal side wall, and both flap and side wall are pivoted whenconverting the article from one configuration to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 7 Referring to the drawings in whichthe same characters of reference are employed to indicate correspondingor similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination carrying case and desk,shown as a case, and embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is the device in FIG. 1 shown in the desk configuration;

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention which includes a pouchattached to the upper flap, for storing a tape recorder, mini-computer,etc.;

FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the pouch in FIG. 3 when the pivotalside wall is lowered;

FIG. 5 illustrates the position of the pouch prior to converting thearticle into the carrying case; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the pouch when the device is used asa case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and2 of the drawing, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally acombination carrying case and traveling desk device or article. Thearticle 10 when used as a carrying case as shown in FIG. 1, has arectangular box like configurationincluding end walls 12, 14, side walls16 and 18, a bottom wall 19 and top cover flaps 20 and 21. Side wall 16and flap 20 swing outward when converting the device 10 from a carryingcase to a traveling desk (FIGS. 1 and 2).

The cover flap 20 is connected to the side wall 16 and pivotable along ahinge 24. Similarly, the cover flap 21 is connected to side wall 18 andpivotable along a hinge 26.

A handle 28 is attached to flap 21 and is received within a slot 30formed in the flap 20. Flap 21 is larger than flap 20. When the case isclosed as shown in FIG. 1, flap 21 rests on the upper edges 31 of endwalls 12, 14 and flap 20 is positioned on top of flap 21.

The bottom wall 19 is integrally formed to side wall 18, and connectedto side wall 16 along a bottom hinge 32. When converting the article 10from the case to the desk and vice versa, side wall 16 is lowered orraised by pivoting at the hinge 32.

A snap-lock arrangement or other suitable means may be used for securingside wall 16 to ends walls 12, 14 when the device 10 is used as a case.A pair of tabs 34 depend inward from the side edges of side wall 16, asmay be seen in FIG. 2. Each tab 34 includes a recessed member 36 to snapon prongs 37 projecting inward from end walls 12, 14.

A partition wall 38 is spaced from and parallel with sidewall 18, anddivides the inside of the article 10 into sections 39 and 40. A platform41 spaced upward and parallel with bottom wall 19 further divides thesection 40. The section 39 is particularly suitable for containing largeobjects such as books etc.

An accordian type holder 42 having a plurality of deep pockets 43 ismounted on the platform 41, between the end walls 12 and 14. A tab 44 isattached to outer side 45 of the outermost pocket 43. When tab 44 issecured on a stub 47 protruding inward from end wall 12, the holder 42is compressed toward the partition wall 38. A slit 46 formed in tab 44may be used for encircling the stub 47. Upon dis-associating the tab 44from the stub 47, the pockets fan outward. Holder 42 may be manuallypulled further outward for better access from the open side when thearticle is used as a desk. However, when the holder 42 is secured withthe tab 44 and stub 47, the pockets 43 are still easily accessible fromabove, and thereby permitting papers or folders to be inserted orremoved in the case configuration for the article 10.

A pair of drawers 48, 49 positioned one over the other, are mounteddbetween platform 41 and bottom wall 19. Drawers 48, 49 open laterallyoutward, when side wall 16 has been lowered, and afford convenientstorage for clips, bands, erasures, lead etc. The open area 50 betweenthe drawers 48, 48 and end wall 14 may be used for holding a pen 51,stapler, etc.

Pockets 54 may be attached to the inside surfaces of the cover flaps 20,21, which are convenient for inserting notes. The cover flaps 20, 21 aresecured by a pair of spaced apart conventional locking means 56, and

each may include an apertured part to receive a ring member, with thering being locked inside the apertured member when a spring controlledtongue passes through the ring.

The items stored in drawers 48, 49 and area 50 may be specifically foruse when the article is converted to a desk. On the other hand, theitems stored in section 39 and holder 42 could be commonly used andeasily accessible when in either configuration. I

Instead of using the hinges 24, 26 and 32, creases could be formed inthe connecting areas between the various parts of the case 10 thatrequire to be pivoted or rotated. Thus, flaps and 21 may be pivotedrespectively from side walls 16 and 18 by a connecting crease in thematerial between flaps 20 and 21 and walls 16 and 18. Similarly, sidewall 16 could be pivoted from the bottom wall 19 by a crease in theconnecting material.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, another embodiment of a combinationcarrying case and desk device indicated generally by the referencenumeral 60, is shown. The parts of device 60 similar to case 10 areidentified by the same numeral except for a suffix a. Case 60 includes,top flaps 62, 64 pivotable respectively from side walls 16a and 18aalong the hinges 24a and 323.. A handle 66 is attached to flap 62, topass through a slot 68 formed in flap 64.

A pouch or container 70 (FIG. 3) is attached to the bottom side of flap62, which may function as a convenient storage area for a tape recordermachine, minicomputer or calculator etc. The pouch 70 is shown having arectangular shape including sides 72, 73 and ends 74, 75. A cap 76 whichmay also be attached to hinge 24a closes the pouch 70. A tab 78 having acircular cutout 79 extends out from cap 76 for attaching on to the stub80 projecting out from side 73. A divider 82 is positioned inside thepouch 70, to divide it into two compartments 83, 84.

The pouch 70 is shown underneath sidewall 16a in FIG. 4, when the device60 may be used as a desk. The pouch 70 may be rotated to the positionshown in phantom in FIG. 4 which is the position for the pouch 70 priorto rotating side wall 160 inward to the uprightposition. The phantomposition for the pouch 70 may also be suitable when the side wall 16a isused as a desk top.

FIG. 5 illustrates, the pouch 70 and side wall 16a being rotated to theupright-position, and the pouch 70 is also shown in phantom justunderneath the upper edge 31a of end wall 12a, and flap 64 is shown inphantom being lowered so that slot 68 receives handle 66.

FIG. 6 shows the pouch in an outward position when side wall 16a is inan upright-position, to permit access into the pouch or inside thedevice 60 when in the case configuration.

It is also within the contemplation of the subject invention that thedevice have an outward appearance similar to a conventional attachecase. This could be achieved by decreasing the width of end walls 12,14, so that the side wall 18 is in the position where the partition Wall38 is now shown. In such a configuration space 39 would be deleted.

It will be appreciated that numerous other changes 1. A combination caseand desk device comprising: a substantially box-like configurationincluding a pair of side walls, end walls, a bottom wall, an upper flapbeing associated with one of said side walls and positioned inward andtoward the other side wall when closing the top of the device, said flapbeing pivotable from said inward position to an outward position whensaid one side wall is in the uprightposition, said one side wall beingmovable from the upright-position to a lowered-position for convertingthe device from a case to a desk, said flap also moving to saidlowered-position with said one side wall.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

a holder means having a plurality of pockets is positioned inside thedevice, said holder means being constructed to expand outward toward theside opening caused when said one side wall is in said lowered-position.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a partition wall is positioned betweensaid other side wall and said holder means.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein a platform is spaced above said bottomwall for supporting said holder means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one drawer is positioned inthe space between the platform and the bottom wall.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprises a second upper flap and oneof said flaps including a handle and the other of said flaps including anotch for receiving to the inside of said flap.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said flap is pivotally associated withsaid one side wall and the device fur ther includes:

a second flap pivotally associated with the other of said side walls;and

a handle extending outward from the outside of said first-mentioned flapand a notch being formed in said second flap to receive said handle whensaid flaps extend inward to close the upper end of the device.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said flap is pivotally associated withsaid one sidewall, said flap being pivotable from an inward to an-outwardposition to permit access inside said pouch when said one sidewall is in the upright-position.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said one side wall includes an upperend adjacent said flap and a lower end adjacent said bottom wall, saidflap being pivotable at said upper end and said one sidewall beingpivotable at said lower end.

11. A combination case and desk device comprising: a container includingside walls, end walls, a bottom wall and a top cover movable from aclosedposition to an open-position to provide access into the device,one of saidside wallsbeing movable from an upright-position to alowered-position for convertingthe device from a case to a desk; andsecuring means for attaching said one side wall in the uprightposition,said securing means being accessi ble from the inside of the device. 12.A combination case and desk device comprising: a substantially box-likeconfiguration including a pair of side walls, end walls, a bottom wall,an upper sible from the inside of the device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said securing means includes:

a prong extending inward from one of said end walls;

and

a tab for attaching on to said prong to maintain said one side wall inthe upright-position.

1. A combination case and desk device comprising: a substantiallybox-like configuration including a pair of side walls, end walls, abottom wall, an upper flap being associated with one of said side wallsand positioned inward and toward the other side wall when closing thetop of the device, said flap being pivotable from said inward positionto an outward position when said one side wall is in theupright-position, said one side wall being movable from theupright-position to a lowered-position for converting the device from acase to a desk, said flap also moving to said lowered-position with saidone side wall.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: a holder means havinga plurality of pockets is positioned inside the device, said holdermeans being constructed to expand outward toward the side opening causedwhen said one side wall is in said lowered-position.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein a partition wall is positioned between said other sidewall and said holder means.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein a platformis spaced above said bottom wall For supporting said holder means. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein at least one drawer is positioned in thespace between the platform and the bottom wall.
 6. The device of claim1, further comprises a second upper flap and one of said flaps includinga handle and the other of said flaps including a notch for receivingsaid handle.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein a pouch is secured to theinside of said flap.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said flap ispivotally associated with said one side wall and the device furtherincludes: a second flap pivotally associated with the other of said sidewalls; and a handle extending outward from the outside of saidfirst-mentioned flap and a notch being formed in said second flap toreceive said handle when said flaps extend inward to close the upper endof the device.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein said flap is pivotallyassociated with said one side wall, said flap being pivotable from aninward to an outward-position to permit access inside said pouch whensaid one side wall is in the upright-position.
 10. The device of claim1, wherein said one side wall includes an upper end adjacent said flapand a lower end adjacent said bottom wall, said flap being pivotable atsaid upper end and said one sidewall being pivotable at said lower end.11. A combination case and desk device comprising: a container includingside walls, end walls, a bottom wall and a top cover movable from aclosed-position to an open-position to provide access into the device,one of said side walls being movable from an upright-position to alowered-position for converting the device from a case to a desk; andsecuring means for attaching said one side wall in the uprightposition,said securing means being accessible from the inside of the device. 12.A combination case and desk device comprising: a substantially box-likeconfiguration including a pair of side walls, end walls, a bottom wall,an upper flap being associated with one of said side walls andpositioned inward when closing the top of the device, said one side wallbeing movable from an upright-position to a lowered-position forconverting the device from a case to a desk, said flap also moving tosaid lowered-position with said one side wall; and securing means forattaching said one side wall in the upright-position, said securingmeans being accessible from the inside of the device.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said securing means includes: a prong extending inwardfrom one of said end walls; and a tab for attaching on to said prong tomaintain said one side wall in the upright-position.